How a seawall would wreck Smiths Beach
The choice at Smiths Beach is simple - Concrete or Kids?
We can have the pristine and protected western area of the beach that we’ve always enjoyed - Kiddies Corner where families have gathered to play and swim safely for decades.
Or we can have the Concrete Corner that the developers want to deliver - a 100m x 22m seawall, up to 5m high, which would destroy one of the most popular parts of the beach.
Of all the issues with the proposal to develop Smiths Beach - and there are many that you can read more about HERE - the seawall is one of the most concerning.
While the entire project is being advanced outside of normal planning channels through the State Development Assessment Unit, the developer has gone to great lengths to keep the seawall away from public view.
In fact, it is only because of the Smiths Beach Action Group that any kind of depiction of what the seawall might look like has been circulated publicly.
KEPT OUT OF SIGHT
The seawall was not disclosed in the original development application and it wasn’t until 2024 that it became apparent it was part of the proposal, despite evidence it was discussed with government as far back as 2021. No scientific modelling has been produced on the effect this seawall would have on one of WA’s best surf beaches.
Laughably, the developers refuse to acknowledge that it is, in fact, a seawall - even though it is referred to as such in their own planning documents.
It shouldn’t be surprising that the developers have tried so hard to keep the seawall secret. Not only is it ugly and unpopular with the community, it is also unnecessary and highly likely to have a negative impact on coastal processes at Smiths Beach.
You don’t need to take our word on that either. In a submission to the Environmental Protection Authority, the City of Busselton laid out a very clear case as to why there should not be a seawall at Smiths Beach.
A RUSE BY THE DEVELOPER
The City highlighted that this area of the coastline had not been earmarked for any form of coastal protection and the purpose or benefit of a seawall had not been properly identified.
Furthermore, the western corner of the beach is not suitable for a so-called access ramp and the seawall is expected to create “increased coastal/beach erosion”. Given the catastrophic impact of seawalls in other parts of WA and on the east coast, why would we want one at Smiths Beach?
The City also said what most of the community has been thinking: the seawall “allows the development to be located closer to the coast.”
And so it all comes down to the developers’ thirst for profit at the expense of Smiths Beach. They want to ignore long-standing, legislated coastal setback limits and build closer to the beach so they can fit in more houses and make more money - the same reason they seek to develop much further into the western headland than allowed.
Unfortunately the SDAU is not bound to follow state or local planning laws, which increases the chance of the developers getting what they want.
We can’t let that happen! Please, tell your friends and your family (and anyone else you think might be interested) about the need to Save Smiths Beach.
WE NEED TO STAND TALL AGAINST THE WALL!
Which is why we are hosting a special event on Easter Sunday, 11am at Smiths Beach, to overtake the 2900m2 seawall area with surfboards.
Bring your favorite surfboard, body board, knee board, even a goat boat if that is your craft! The waves and the beach are for the people not for profit. See you at Smiths on Easter Sunday.
Please also let the Environment Minister Matt Swinbourn, the Planning Minister John Carey and the Premier Roger Cook know what you think about the seawall and the proposal for Smiths Beach. The SDAU was introduced by this WA Government and they should be accountable for its actions.
Our community has rallied once before to stop large-scale, unsustainable development at Smiths Beach and with a collaborative and cohesive effort we can do it again.